Official statement from Ronaldo regarding his issue with Jesus

Cristiano Ronaldo has broken his silence regarding the crisis that led to his departure from the Portugal national team camp, providing his full account of what happened from the beginning of the agreement with coach Jorge Jesus until his decision to leave the team, while also admitting that leaving the camp was a mistake he fully takes responsibility for.

Cristiano Ronaldo said in his statement: "As I promised, I decided to explain myself and directly everything related to the final stage of my journey with the Portugal national team, and the circumstances that led to the recent events."

He added: "After the FIFA World Cup 2026, I wrote a message to the people of Portugal, and I still keep it, containing the words I want to convey to them when the time comes to end my career with the national team definitively."

He added: "On the return journey from the United States after the end of the tournament, the president of the Portuguese Football Federation insisted that I reconsider my decision, confirming that the federation wants me to continue with the national team."

He added: "And right after that, the president of the federation asked me for my opinion on the current coach of the national team, as he was considering his name alongside other names that he did not disclose. I told him that I believe his choice would be the right decision, and that is why, when the new coach was announced, I was extremely happy with the choice and considered it the right decision, which subsequent results have proven to be correct."

He said: "A few days later, I received my first call from the new coach, who told me that he wanted to meet me in person. I agreed to that, and we arranged to hold the meeting after my holiday. We met in the football city, where my team was undergoing pre-season preparations. In that meeting, the coach confirmed to me that he relies on me and that my presence is an essential part of his project with the national team."

He continued: "The coach presented me with a plan for participation during the season, explaining that I would play in the first and last matches, with three or four substitutions in each match for physical preparation reasons. At that time, he suggested that I not travel with the national team to Norway and Denmark, and that I play in the first match and then stay in Portugal, before returning to join the team in preparation for the match at Estádio do Dragão."

He emphasized: "I immediately rejected the proposal. For me, it was clear that I could not accept such a thing. Not participating in matches outside Portugal does not mean that I will stop being the captain of the national team, and I considered that obtaining this privilege by staying in Portugal would not be the right example I would set, and in the end, the coach agreed with my point of view."

He noted: "Simão Coutinho was present in this conversation, he is the sporting director of Al Nassr, and the person the current coach was reporting to during last season. He was also one of the officials responsible for his transfer to the club in 2025. Before the start of the camp, the coach visited me at my home in Lisbon at his request, and we talked in a calm atmosphere, respecting all the principles we agreed upon in August.

I participated in the first match, and despite being substituted, I did not cause any problems. In fact, I personally handed the captain's armband to Bruno Fernandes, without imagining that I might be taking my last steps as a player and captain of the national team. For me, the most important thing that day was achieving victory. Winning is always good, but achieving it in Portugal and for my country carries greater significance.

He added: "On the day of the Norway match, while having lunch, one of the assistant coaches approached the table where the players were sitting and told me that the coach wanted to speak with me. I was surprised when he asked me if I was able to play for 30 minutes. At that time, I was fully focused on my physical recovery and training with my teammates as usual, and I thought I would not participate in that match."

He continued: "I had no problem with his request, even though it conflicted with the physical recovery and training plan I was following, which stipulated that I would only participate in the match on the 4th at Estádio do Dragão. I agreed, of course, and the coach informed me that I should be ready to play for 30 minutes, but what happened next is well known. I started warming up at the end of the first half, and the minutes passed one after another without me being called to participate, and at that moment I felt that the coach did not stick to what he had told me."

He concluded: "After the match, I just wanted things to end with a win and to be alone. I didn't go to greet the fans, which I admit was a mistake and I take full responsibility for it. I apologize to the people of Portugal who supported us so strongly, and I apologize to the fans, as well as to everyone who traveled there from outside Portugal specifically to watch me, and perhaps felt disappointed because of my behavior."